Method and apparatus for handling containers



Dec. 10, 1957 METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR HANDLING CONTAINERS Filed March 4, 1955 M. KOWAL 2,815,874

6 Sheets-Sheet 1 1' 8 m 3 in O 0 V o s N INVENTOR.

MICHAEL KQWAL AOW A-r-rozusvs Dec. 10, 1957 M. KOWAL METHOD AND APPARATUS 'FOR HANDLING CONTAINERS 6 Sheets- Sheet 2 Filed March 4, 1955 w rug-E5 S 79 O G I! I I0 I I RM i i '72 54 I, 153 [7 I fil [I], I I 6 I I: I g

6 [/6 O 52 I H I 23 I I 28 5/ h O 5 I: 2 52 g 78 n e7 5 0 Q s2 5: Q 0 s1. 26

' a If 6 INVENTOR.

MICHAEL. KOWAI- Dec. 10,; 1957 M. KOWAL I 2,815,874

METHOD AND AEPARATUS FOR HANDLING CONTAINERS Filed March 4, 1955 e Sheets-Sheet 3 3 9, MICHAEL KOWAJ- I1 BY ATTOR Nsvs 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR;

KQWA L- M. KOWAL METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR HANDLING CONTAINERS Dec; Filed March 4-, i955 Dec. 10, 1957 Filed March 4; 1955 M. KowAL METHOD AND APPARATUS FORIHANDLING'CONTAINERS 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 Eng. 7

INVENTOR. MICHAEL- KOWAL.

BY r

- ATTOZNEY-S M. KOWAL Dec. 10, 1957 METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR HANDLING CONTAINERS 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed March 4, 1955 mmvrox MICHAE L \(OWAL.

v BY

ATTORNEYS United States Patent METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR HANDLING CONTAINERS Michael Kowal, Wilmington, Del.

Application March 4, 1955, Serial No. 492,225

7 Claims. (Cl. 214-44) and with the tops provided with protruding handles and filler caps. The containers in the smaller sizes are in packages.

Truck trailers, railroad box cars, and other vehicle means are used to transport the empty cans or packages of such cans from the place of their manufacture to the place of their use, with the cans or packages of cans closely stacked within the vehicle in rows of columns so as to use all of the space in the vehicle without waste.

The handling of the cans or packages of cans between the transporting vehicle or a place of storage and the point of use or another place of storage has been found to require an inordinate amount of hand labor considering the size and weight of the individual cans or packages of such cans. The lightweight material from which the cans are made is easily dented and the stacks of cans are relatively instable due to their rounded corners and to their tops and bottoms which do not nest together when stacked.

The cans are also printed or lithographed with the description of the commodity to be packaged, and the use of gripping tools, slings, and the like for mechanically handling a number of cans simultaneously may cause denting of the cans or scratching of the printed surface of the cans.

Therefore, the primary object of the present invention is to provide a method of and an apparatus for handling a cargo of cans or packages of cans from a source of supply to a discharge point with a minimum of hand labor and attention, and without damaging the cans.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for and a method of handling a cargo of cans or packages of such cans from a trailer, railroad box car, orother vehicle orplace of storage where they are arranged in rows of columns, in which the individual Figure l is a side view in elevation of a truck trailer with a portion of its side wall broken away and showing in side view the unloader apparatus of the present invention;

Figure 2 is a greatly enlarged side view partially in cross section;

Figure 3 is a detailed view in cross section on line 33 of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a side view in cross section similar to Figure 2, showing the row of cans next to the lowermost row released for moving to the lower position;

Figure 5 is a front view in elevation of the present invention, partially broken away to show the rows of columns of cans in the trailer;

Figure 6 is a rear view in elevational cross section on line 6-6 of Figure 2;

Figure 7 is a vertical view looking upwardly on line 7-7 of Figure 6;

Figure 8 is a view from the rear in cross section on line 8--8 of Figure 1;

Figure 9 is an elevational view through the trailer on line 9-9 of Figure 1; and

Figure 10 is a partial view of the trailer on line 1010 of Figure 9.

Before describing the method of the present invention, the specific structure of the apparatus forming a part of such invention will be first described in detail.

In the drawings, in which the numerals indicate like parts throughout the several views, in Figure 1 is seen in side elevation and partially broken away, a truck trailer 11 having its wheels 12 supported on one end of a ramp 13 and having its closed end 14 resting on the ground so as to tilt the trailer body forwardly, cans 15 are seen through the partially broken away side of the trailer 11, each being positioned on its side in a column with its top end showing the handle 16 and the filler cap 17.

The ramp 13 is made a permanent installation adjacent a loading platform 18 under an overhanging roof 19. A pair of spaced rails 20 and 21 extend between the ramp 13 and the platform 18. Another rail 22 is dependingly supported by the roof 19 over the rails 20 and 21.

A portion of the apparatus of the present invention is carried on the rails 20 and 21 and held in its somewhat tilted position, as seen in Figure 1, by the over head rail 22, and consists of a frame having vertical side members 23 having wheels 24 on their lower ends and wheels 25 on their upper ends rollably engaged by the rails 20 and 22, respectively. A pair of legs 26 extend upwardly from their wheels 27 which ride on the rail 21. The upper ends of the legs 26 support a shelf support 28 on which is hingedly mounted a shelf 29 extending between the pair of legs 26.

A pair of vertically extending side panels 30 are hinged along their one edges and connected to the side members 23 to form guides when inserted by their other edges within the discharge end opening of the trailer 11, as seen in Figure 1. The shelf 29, as seen in Figure 2, is lowered into the discharge end opening of the trailer 11 and has its tapered free edge overlying the end of the platform frame 31 of the trailer 11.

A panel 32 closes the space between the side members 23 and forms, at its lower end, a portion of a chute structure which guides the cans 15 downwardly to a platform mechanism including a conveyor belt 33 carried on pulleys 34.

The conveyer pulleys 34 are supported on the ground by means of the bracket 35 and suitable side frames shown at dotted lines in Figure 5 and indicated by the reference numeral 36 may be installed to keep the cans or containers on the conveyer apparatus provided by the belt 33, 4

Referring again to Figures 1 and 2, it will be seen that the guide means or chute is formed by the panel 32 and another panel 37, the latter extending downwardly from the shelf support 28 to a connection with a'platforrn 38 upon which is mounted the motors 39'and 40. A belt 39 connects the motor 39 to the one wheel 27 for moving the unloader mechanism along the rails 20 and 21. The motor 49 is connected by the demountable chain 41 to a sprocket 42 carried under the trailer 11 on the shaft 43, the latter driving by means of the sprockets 44 and 45 and a chain 46 the conveyer shaft 47, as seen most clearly in Figure 8.

The shaft 47 carries a plurality of pulleys 48, each having a conveyer belt 49 carried thereon. The belts 49 slide in appropriate grooves formed in the bed of the trailer 11 and provide a movable platform by means of which the columns of cans or containers are moved rear? wardly in the trailer to the discharge end of the latter. A movable follower or bulkhead 50, seen most clearly in Figures 1 and 10, is connected to chains 51, one on each side of the trailer, and carried on the sprockets 52 mounted upon the shaft 47 so that the bulkhead t: moves rearwardly within the trailer upon movement of the conveyor formed by the belts 49, the latter being connected also to the bulkhead 50.

Cables 53 extend vertically along each of the side walls of the trailer 11 and are connected to the upper end of the bulkhead 50 and pass over the drums 54 on the shaft 47 so that the bulkhead 50 is pulled in its upstanding position through the trailer upon actuation of the conveyer belts 49 which form a movable platform within the trailer 11.

Referring to Figures 9 and 10, it will be seen that the bulkhead 50 is of special construction and includes at its lower end a base frame 55 which is connected to the chains 51 and belts 49 and carries a motor 56 which is drivably connected by means of a belt 57 to a crankshaft 58 carrying the crank arms 59 by means of which an accordion type extension formed by the panel 60 of the bulkhead is moved as shown in dotted lines in Figure to an extended position rearwardly of the base frame 55, there being provided telescoping elements indicated by the reference numeral 61 at the lower end and the upper end of the bulkhead which permit the sliding movement of the panel 66 with respect to the base frame 55. A second crankshaft 62 extends across the bulkhead spaced from the top end thereof and is connected by a belt 63 to the crankshaft 58 and has similar crank arms 59 connected to it so that the upper end of the bulkhead 50 will extend by its panel 60 an equal distance with the lower end of the panel 60.

Referring to Figure 4, it will be seen that a shelf or support 64 projects horizontally from the stringers 65 which reinforce the panel 32, and an air cylinder 66 and a solenoid air valve 67 are mounted on the support 64 so as to provide a mechanism for operating a gate or abutment means consisting of a hingedly mounted horizontally disposed panel 68 mounted across an opening provided in the panel 32. A spring 69 normally biases the panel 68 into abutting engagement with a row of cans in the chute. A shaft 78 extends across the lower end of the chute and has one endconnected to a crank arm 73. in turn connected by the lever 72 to an actuating arm 73 which is operable by the air pressure within the air cylinder 66. The other end of the shaft 70 within the chute carries a pair of levers 74 which support a movable table 75 for movement upwardly and downwardly from a position below the belt 33, as seen in Figure 2, to a position above the belt 33, as seen in Figure 4.

The upward position of the table 75 is shown in dotted lines in Figure 6, and is indicated by the reference numeral 75'. The spring arm 76 is connected to a switch 77 carried on the table 75,v as seen in Figures 6 and 7, and is operable when in the raised position shown in Figure 4 to deenergize the solenoid air valve 67 to discharge air from the air cylinder 66, the actuating arm 73 then exerting a pull downwardly upon the linkage 78 to move the panel 68 into abutting engagement with the row of containers 15 within the chute.

As seen in Figures 2 and 3, the linkage 78 includes a slotted bar 79 loosely connected to the actuating arm 73 which is also connected to the lever 72. The lever 72 is notched, as indicated by the reference numeral 80, and is held in the up position by a latch 81 which is releasable by the push rod 82 upon downward movement of the actuating arm 73. Another switch 83 is mounted upon the panel 32 and has its actuating arm 84 projecting into the chute, as shown in dotted lines in Figure 2, at a level substantially that or a little above the shelf 29. A multi-circuit switch panel 85 is positioned upon one of the stringers 65, as shown in Figures 1 and 5, and includes a master switch and the relays necessary to energize the motors and the solenoid air valve.

The sides of the trailer 11 are provided with a plurality of horizontal, smooth guide rails 86 which keep the cans in place as they are moved to the discharge end of the trailer.

A pair of brackets 87 and 88 project from the extensile panel 60 and the bulkhead 50, respectively, one on each side of the trailer, the one bracket 87 on the panel 60 being engageable with the actuating lever of the switch 89 carried on the adjacent side panel 39 of the unloading mechanism. The bracket 88 on the bulkhead 50 is engageable with the actuating lever of another switch 90 carried on the inner side wall of the trailer near the discharge end thereof and at the top where it is well out of the way of the containers carried on the platform of the trailer, the location of the switch 90 being shown in dotted lines in Figure 1.

An electric power plug receptacle 91 is carried on the underside of the frame of the trailer 11 by means of which a power cable can be connected so that the motor 56' can be energized.

The switch 90 may be double-acting and is normally in circuit with the motor 40, but when the bulkhead reaches the discharge end of the trailer 11, the bracket 88 engages the arm of the switch 90 to transfer the circuit controlled by the switch 83 from the motor 40 to the motor 56 carried within the trailer so that the bulkhead is not caused to move, but that the extensile panel 60 of the bulkhead moves outwardly from the bulkhead and the truck to push the last two remaining columns of containers first onto the shelf and in a succeeding movement into the space of the chute where they will descend, with the panel 60 and the panel 32 forming the sides of the chute for the last remaining column of containers.

In Figures 2 and 4 will be seen an abutment bolt head 92 by means of which the arm 93 of the linkage 78 is adjusted in its movement so that the panel 68 properly presses against the adjacent row of containers 15.

In carrying out the method by the employment of the above-described apparatus, the cans 15, or other containers, or packages of containers are formed into acargo on the movable platform formed by the conveyer belts 49, the cargo consisting of a plurality of columns arranged in tandem relation on the platform, each column consisting of a plurality of rows superimposed upon each other, Energization of the master switch, which maybe incorporated within the switch 85, starts the motor 40 to cause the longitudinal movement of the conveyer belts 49 and causing the platform formed by the belts 49 to move rearwardly an extent such as to deliver the column of containers nearest the discharge opening of the trailer to the shelf 29.

It is important that two rows of containers be left within the chute or guide means from a previous delivery of containers and below and spaced from the shelf so that the lowermost row of the containers is supported above the table 75 and held by the'movable panel 68.

The upper sides of the top row of containers then form a further shelf means and the platform within the trailer is again moved to cause the column now on the shelf 29 to be shifted over the second platform formed by the table 75 and the conveyer belt 33.

The switch 83 is opened by the abutment of the column of containers when they reach the chute or guide means, stopping the motor 40. The conveyer belt 33 may be caused to move all of the time for simplification of the controls, and when one part of the switch 83 is opened, another circuit within the switch 83 is closed, energizing the solenoid air valve 67 to admit air to the air cylinder 66, causing actuation of the lever 72 and thereby moving the table 75 upwardly to receive the lowermost row of containers. The lever 72 rises, and at or near the limit of its movement the linkage 78 is engaged to swing the panel 68 out of the chute, permitting the lowermost row to descend to a position of support upon the second platform so formed, contacting as it comes to rest upon the platform the arm 76 of the switch 77 which is also in circuit with the air valve 67 causing it to be reversed and releasing the air in the air cylinder 66. The actuating arm 73 then moves downwardly and lets the panel 68 engage the lowermost row of containers before the latch 81 is actuated to let the lever 72 down and permitting the table 75 to lower the lowermost row of containers to the conveyer belt 33, the switch 77 remaining open until all of the containers of the lowermost row are discharged in turn from the second platform thus formed by the table and the belt 33, while retaining the next lowermost row of the column in its aforesaid position with respect to the shelf 29.

When the last container leaves the table 75, the switch 77 closes, re-energizing the air valve and air cylinder to raise the table 75 and to release, in another cycle, the next lowermost row and to permit it to move so as to be supported upon the second platform formed by the table and the belt 33 with the following row next to the next lowermost occupying the space vacated by the next lowermost row, re-cycling the discharge of all the containers of the next lowermost row from the second platform, and retaining the next to the next lowermost row in the position engaged by the panel 68.

When the topmost row of containers in the column descends below the arm 84 of the switch 83, the motor 40 is again energized to move thebelts 49' so that the bulkhead 50 pushes the succeeding columns from the trailer to the shelf 29. The last two columns of containers are conveyed to the shelf in turn and the bulkhead bracket 88 contacts the arm of the switch 90 to transfer the circuit from the motor 40 to the motor 56 so that the extensile panel 60 pushes the last two remaining columns of containers first onto the shelf and then into the chute or guide means from whence they descend as above described and are discharged in turn from the second platform. The contacting of the switch 89 carried on the side panel 30 by the bracket 87 carried on the panel 60 breaks the circuit to the motor 56, stopping further movement of the bulkhead or its associated panel. A light or other signalling device may be incorporated in this last named circuit so that the operator will be informed that the last remaining column of cans is within the chute.

The unloading apparatus of the present invention, that part of it exteriorally of the trailer 11, is mounted for longitudinal movement so that it may be jockeyed into position adjacent to and in alignment with the discharge opening of the trailer, the motor 39 permitting the sidewise movement of this device. It is also movable so that other trailers or trucks may be lined up with their rear ends facing the platform 18 and a series of trucks may be unloaded by the method of and with the apparatus of the present invention as above described.

It is intended that the dimensions of the chute or guide means of the present invention be dimensioned so as to receive the containers to be handled, the inner walls of the chute or guide means may be covered with a material which prevents scratching or marring of the surface of the containers, if desired. It is also important that the length of the operating arm supporting the table 75 be such that the table rises within the chute to a position at which the lowermost row of cans or containers does not have to drop freely in order to come to rest upon the table 75.

It is to be seen, therefore, from the foregoing description, that the apparatus for and the method of handling a cargo of empty containers from a source of supply to a storage space is effectively accomplished by the present invention.

What is claimed is:

1. The method for handling containers or packages of containers from a source of supply to a discharge point which comprises forming upon a platform a cargo consisting of a plurality of columns of said containers or said packages in tandem relation, each column consisting of a plurality of rows superimposed upon each other, causing said platform to move longitudinally an extent such as to deliver the column nearest the discharge end of said platform onto a shelf, causing said column to be shifted from such shelf over a second platform located below and spaced from said shelf with the lowermost row of said column supported upon said second platform and the next lowermost row of said column below and spaced from said shelf, and causing said second platform to move transversely to an extent such as to discharge in turn all of the containers or packages in said lowermost row while retaining the next lowermost row of said column in its aforesaid position with respect to said shelf.

2. The method for handling containers or packages of containers from a source of supply to .a discharge point which comprises forming upon a platform a cargo consisting of a plurality of columns of said containers or said packages in tandem relation, each column consisting of a plurality of rows superimposed upon each other, causing said platform to move longitudinally an extent such as to deliver the column nearest the discharge end of said platform onto a shelf, causing said column to be shifted from such shelf over a second platform located below and spaced from said shelf with the lowermost row of said column supported upon said second platform and the next lowermost row of said column below and spaced from said shelf, causing said second platform to move transversely to an extent such as to discharge in turn allof the containers or packages in said lowermost row while retaining the next lowermost row of said column in its aforesaidposition with respect to said shelf, causing the next lowermost row of said column to be released and moved so as to be supported upon said second platform with the row next'to the next lowermost row caused to occupy the space vacated by said next lowermost row, and repeating the step of causing the containers or packages in the next lowermost row to be discharged in turn while retaining the next to the next lowermost row in its aforesaid position. Y

3. The method for handling containers or packages of containers from a source of supply to a discharge point which comprises form-ing upon a platform of a transport a cargo consisting of a plurality of columns of said containers or said packages in tandem relation, each column consisting of a plurality of rows superimposed upon each other, causing said platform to move successively longitudinally an extent such as to deliver in turn said columns onto a shelf, causing each of said columns to be shifted in turn from said shelf over a second platform located below and spaced from said shelf with the lowermost row of said column supported upon said second platform and the next lowermost row of said column below and spaced from said shelf, and causing said second platform to move transversely to an extent such as asses /4 7 to discharge in turn all of the containers or packages in said lowermost row while retaining the next lowermost row of said column in its aforesaid position with respect to said shelf.

4. The method for handling containers or packages of containers from a source of supply to a discharge point which comprises forming upon a platform of a transport a cargo consisting of a plurality of columns of said containers or said packages in tandem relation, each column consisting of a plurality of rows superimposed upon each other, causing said platform to move successively lo'ngitudinally an extent such as to deliver in turn said columns onto a shelf, causing each of said columns to be shifted in turn from said shelf over a second platform located below and spaced from said shelf with the lowermost row i of said column supported upon said second platform and the next lowermost row of said column below and spaced from saidshelf, causing said second platform to move transversely to an extent such a'sfto discharge in turnall of the containers or packages in said lowermost row while retaining the next lowermost row of said column in its aforesaid position with respect to said shelf, causing the next lowermost row of said column to be released and move so as to be supported upon said second platform with the row next to the next lowermost row caused to occupy the space vacated by said next lowermost row, and repeating the step of causing the containers or packages in the next lowermost row to be discharged in turn while retaining the next to the next lowermost row in its aforesaid position.

5. An apparatus for handling containers or packages of containers from a source of supply to a discharge point comprising a platform having a discharge end adapted to support a cargo consisting of a plurality of columns of containers or packages arranged in tandem relation with each column consisting of a plurality of rows of containers or packages superimposed upon each other, said platform being movable longitudinally in the direction of said discharge end, a fixed shelf positioned adjacent to and in alignment with the discharge end of said platform, a second platform disposed below and spaced from said shelf, said platform being movable transversely of said first named platform, means for moving said first named platform successively longitudinally an extent such as to deliver said columns in turn to said 'fixedshelf and to a position over said second platform, guide means extending between said shelf and said second platform for directing the column when moved into position over said second platform so that the lowermost row is supported on said second platform with the next lowermost row spaced below said shelf, means for moving said second platform an extent to discharge in sequence all of the containers or packages in said lowermost row therefrom, and an abutment member intermediate said shelf and said second platform and movable through said guide means into holding engagement with said next lowermost row upon initiation of the execution of the discharge movement of said second platform and retained in such engagement until the execution of the discharge movement of said second platform has been concluded and movable away from said guide means out of engagement with said next lowermost row upon completion of the execution of the discharge movement of said second platform and permit said guide means to direct said next lowermost row into a position of support upon said second platform.

6. An apparatus for handling containers or packages ofcontainers froma source of supply to a discharge point comprising a platform having a discharge end adapted to support a cargo consisting of a plurality of columns of containers or packages arranged in tandem'relation with each column consisting of a plurality of rows of containers orpackagessuperimposed upon-each other,-said platform being movable longitudinally in the direction of said discharge end an upstanding follower positioned adjacent the opposite end of said platform and adapted to bear against the innermostoire of said columns when supported thereon and connected to said platform for movement therewith, a fixed shelf positioned adjacent to and in alignment with the discharge endof said platform, a second platform disposed below and spaced from said shelf, said platform being movable transversely of said first named platform, means for moving said first named platform successively longitudinally an extent such as to deliver said columns in turn to said fixed shelf and to a position over said second platform, guide means extending between said shelf and said second platform for directing the column when moved into position over said second platform so that the lowermost row is supported on said second platform with the next lowermost row spaced below said shelf, means for movim saidsecond platform an extent to discharge in sequence all of the containers or packages in said lowermost row therefrom, and an abutment member intermediate said shelf and said second platform and movable through said guide means into holding engamement with said next lower'most row upon initiation of the execution of the discharge movement of said second platform and retained in such engagement until the execution of the discharge movement of said second platform has been concluded and movable away from said guide means out of engagement with said next lowermost row upon completion of the execution of the discharge movement of said second platform and permit said guide means to direct said next lowermost row into a position of support upon said second platform.

7. An apparatus for handling containers from a source of supply to a storage space comprising a platform having a discharge end adapted to support a cargo consisting of a plurality of columns of containers or packages of containers arranged in tandem relation with each column consisting of a plurality of rows of containers or packages superimposed upon each other, said platform being movable longitudinally in the direction of said discharge end, an upstanding follower positioned inwardly of the opposite end of said platform and adapted to bear against the innermost one of said columns when supported thereon and connected to said platform for movement therewith, a fixed shelf positioned adjacent to and in alignment with the discharge end of said platform, a second platform disposed below and spaced from said shelf, said platform being movable transversely of said first named platform, means for moving said first named platform successively longitudinally an extent such as to deliver said columns in turn to said fixed shelf and to a position over said second platform, guide means extending between said shelf and said second platform for directing the column when moved into positionover said second platform so that the lowermost row is supported on said second platform with the next lowermost row spaced below said shelf, means for moving said second platform an extent to discharge in sequence all of the containers in said lowermost row therefrom, an abutment member intermediate said shelf and said second platform and movable through said guide means into holding engagement with said next lowermost row upon initiation of the execution of the discharge movement of said second platform and retained in such engagement until the execution of the discharge movement of said second platform has been concluded and movable away from said guide means to direct said next lowermost row into a position of support upon said second platform, and means to direct said lowermost row into a position of support upon said second platform, and an extension arranged in accordion relation positioned between said follower in the, opposite end of said platform and connected to said follower for movement with the latter, said extension being moved from its accordion position to an extended position upon execution of the movement of said follower to a position adjacent the discharge end of said platform to shift said innermost column over said shelf and into a position in alignment with said guiding meansi (References on following page) References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Marelle Apr. 17, 1888 Conner Jan. 12, 1904 5 Wishon Nov. 27, 1906 Hollnagel June 18, 1929 10 Wagner et a1 Dec. 20, 1938 Bright Dec. 8, 1942 Butler Sept. 3, 1946 Johnson et a1 Dec. 29, 1953 Patterson May 25, 1954 Van Doren Feb. 15, 1955 

